Autumn in Scotland is brief. One day you’re in the midst of the wild and overgrown end of summer, and then – it always feels sudden and surprising – the trees are full of brilliant and bright colours.
There’s also berries. And misty mornings. And apples.
It’s all so beautiful.
I love it.
And this year I’m not missing it due to illness (see the article Doctors and Deadlines: writing with chronic illness).
I’m walking through that hot afternoon sunshine, between the trees and the toadstools. There’s so many of those this year.
The end of autumn in Scotland
It all feels rather magical. But it could be over at any moment. When the first frost comes, which could happen any time in the next month, the leaves will turn brown and fall off. The dragonflies and butterflies will disappear. And it will be winter. Like the onset of autumn, this always feels sudden, but at the same time sneaky. Like, when did this cold, cold change occur?
So, I treasure sweet autumnal moments for as long as I can. Look at the sunshine shining through those red leaves. Glorious, isn’t it?
A Dancer’s Journey is here!
TENDU is making me think of Covent Garden. And cake.
Series on Amazon UK
Series on Amazon worldwide
More on the series:
- A Ballet Novel and a Tale of Publishing Woes
- Pointe Work and a Red Leotard
- Working Girl: a WordPress Prompt Goes Dark
- A Snaggled, Barbourous Place
- Diabolical and Deranged: Writing and Blood
- Chosen Sisters: Friendship and Dance
Sisters Review
This is from the long and thoughtful review of SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD from Olga Núñez Miret:
“Those who are looking for a strong female protagonist, love lyrical and expressive writing styles, and favour stories with a touch of magic and ancient mythology, particularly set in Scotland, should put it on their list. They are bound to discover a new author to follow, and a protagonist they’ll never forget.”
Share Your Books
Don’t forget you can share your own books and writing on this post. I always love to see it.
My Historical Fiction
Set in 1st century Scotland, SISTERS AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD includes the battle of Mons Graupius between the Romans and the Caledonian tribes. The book features a neurodivergent main character and some rather complicated romance!
“Ethereal and spellbinding….” Historical Novel Society
See the press release here
Read the article Roman Aberdeenshire features in author’s new book from Grampian Online.
Taking place mainly in a fictional castle, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR blends an often overlooked period of history, the Scottish witchcraft accusations, in particular the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic, with a love story.
See the press release here
From the Press and Journal: New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland
FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the kidnapped children and young people of Aberdeen. The story follows the adventures of Elizabeth Manteith from the castle and her determined efforts to get back home. There’s love. There’s derring-dos on the high seas… And there’s chocolate!
See the publisher’s Press Release here
“Filled with excitement and suspense…” Historical Novel Society
See my About Page here
Newsletter
Go here to sign up for my occasional emails that always include exclusive photos and news of my writing and life. They’re a more intimate space than the blog. If you would like to hear about new books and offers, you can follow my Amazon author page.
I love the Autumn colours, and isn’t there a lot of rowan berries this year, in fact all the berries are in great abundance ❤️
Yes. It’s an exceptionally colourful autumn, this year 🙂
These pictures made me choke up hard. Splinters of low sun through the trees, the smell of coal smoke, unpleasant and priceless at the same time and the mossy, impenetrable shelter of the fairy glen, all of these call to me over decades of time and thousands of miles. Thank you for posting this.
Autumn is the season that calls that timeless feeling to me too, more than any other.
Beautiful pictures, Ailish. Makes me wonder about my ancestry in Scotland. 🙂
Interesting!
My maternal grandfather was a Sinclair. I’ll have to look into it. 🙂
These pictures are gorges, I so want to come to Scotland for a visit, to see the stones, smell the air, find Nessi and Hogwarts and the Magick that’s in the air. Can’t wait to get your book on the sisters, I have it on my wish list. Thank you for your beautiful blog.
I hope you get the chance to visit, and that you enjoy the book!
Oh to be in Scotland now that Autumn is here
And whoever wakes in Scotland
Sees, some morning, unaware 🙂
Lovely photos, especially the red toadstool. Glad you’re feeling better.
Thank you 🙂
Love your Autumn observations.
I’m glad 🙂
It is so wonderful to see this season through your eyes and camera, thank you so much!
I’m glad you like it, Julie 🙂
So beautiful. I love it. I think if we lived closer to each other, we’d spend time together. We think similarly, I think. I posted your doctors and deadlines post on my Linkedin page. I relate to all of it and it’s important to talk about, Thanks!
Hi Lara – it’s nice that we can meet here 🙂 I hope the doctors article is useful to people; thanks for sharing it!
I love autumn and having lived in a country with no autumn I really appreciate it and still enjoy walking through piles of leaves.
Piles of leaves are marvelous 🙂
This is absolutely gorgeous.
🙂
Beautiful. Similar in many ways to Canada.
Yes, I’ve heard that.
We had short but beautiful autumns like this in Illinois. Spring never arrived until sometime toward the end of May!
Ah, you know the pain of a long winter too…
We have beautiful autumns in northern New England as well. My husband are going out for our annual leaf-peeping expedition tomorrow.
I love that expression, leaf-peeping. I hope you have a great time 🙂
Thanks! I’m sure we will. 😀
Autumn is like that here in Saskatchewan as well. It could snow any day so I treasure each wonderful warm day with all those beautiful colours. Bernie
Yes, enjoy those days to the full 🙂
Such beautiful photos. Much appreciated as I’m stuck in bed with illness. Hope to be up and about soon.
I feel your pain, and hope you’re better soon.
Thank you
How beautiful! I hope those apples are delicious.
They are really fragrant, sweet and waxy fruits, these.